When consumers drag their recycling bins to the curb, chances are they feel pretty good about what they’re doing. Perhaps they feel proud. Maybe even virtuous. After all, by filling up that recycling bin they’ve made an effort to do something good for their community and the environment. They’re doing the right thing. Right?

The National FFA Organization (formerly known as Future Farmers of America) prepares young people in the United States for careers in the agriculture industry through hands-on learning and leadership experiences.

And – they’re teaching future agriculturists about much more than traditional farming, including how food safety, security and shelf life are vitally important to reducing food waste and creating a more sustainable business and supply chain.

Here’s a dirty little secret about the protective packaging business. If packaging doesn’t perform well — and an item packed inside arrives at its destination damaged — the packaging company is almost never going to be on the receiving end of an angry phone call.

Consumers are unlikely to go digging for the 800 number of the companies that made the boxes. They’re going to complain to the retailers that sent the boxes or the carriers that delivered them.

As e-commerce grows, so does the amount of stuff that gets returned. It’s almost become part of the online shopping process. We buy multiples of things knowing some or most of it will get sent back using the return shipping labels many companies provide inside the box or online.

Most of us aim to make wise financial decisions and keep an eye on where we’re spending our money. But can you say the same thing about your freight bill? If not, there could be hidden costs that take you by surprise.

Even before the busiest shopping season of the year kicked off, I had already encountered a couple of peak-season missteps from online retailers. After an order I placed on Halloween and expected to receive within five days went missing, the vendor was unable to give me an updated arrival date — right up until the parcel magically arrived on my doorstep three weeks later. Then, a coffee grinder that was shipped to my house in its original retail packaging was unfortunately not sturdy enough for transit and arrived battered and partially open.

Each year, roughly one third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted, contributing to the ever-growing issue of food security across the globe. And as the world’s population continues to increase, proper packaging and those who dedicate their careers to develop effective food packaging will become even more critical to the food waste conversation.